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Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

" Jack of all trades, Ace of none."

I think that this team has a lot of good parts but there are some young/average veteran parts in some places too. There are also injuries that could sink a team, while trying to adjust the schemes with lesser players. I have to disagree about the coaching in general being the problem, although there are some irritants. I think that the coaching has kept the team close enough to let the Wins fall into place. The Eagles game was a Coaching Loss to me, but the Texans were simply a better team. As to some of the Wins, the Chiefs fumbling into the endzone and just playing sloppy football; the Cowboys missing a game-winning FG; the Browns game at home came down to a Hail Mary in the endzone; Browns II is helped by a stupid 4th down call by their coach; we get the Steelers without Ben. The Bengals, Patriots and Raiders games were ones that looked like the team belongs in the Playoffs.

So what do you take from all of that about this team? It is there in almost every game, but cannot be consistent in how it wins. It is a "box of chocolates." It makes it tough to go into a game and not to know what to expect, but it is possible for any of the parts to produce a win. That is truly a "Team", and that goes to the coaching.

Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

These stats are great numbers to consider.

Winning the turnover battle can win those close games almost every time.

We are playing very efficient football. The turnover stats and red zone percentages highlight this. Flacco seems more in control, in spite of a constantly revolving O-line. Last year we were stopped on goal line short yardage many times. This year we seem to be breaking through on those attempts. To be 8-2 with our injuries is a credit to our coaching.

But I think the biggest reason we have been successful is there are no super teams in the NFL this year. Every team is flawed, and the difference between the top teams and those near the bottom of the standings has never been closer. Little things make the difference in the NFL this year, and the points raised by the posters above are all little things, but when you add them up, they make a difference.

Don't agree? I think the proof of this is the Cleveland Browns. They have played much better in the games I have seen them play this year, but have little to show for it. They do not know how to win, because they can't seem to do the little things to put them over the top.

Big Cleveland fan this week. Let's hope they find a way. They have never had a better chance then this week.

Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

Originally Posted by Captain Offense

The Eagles game was a Coaching Loss to me, but the Texans were simply a better team.

What about the coaching did you feel led to that loss? I thought the use of timeout's before the end of the first half to get the ball back and take the long field goal was pretty shrewd considering most teams would let it run to get them off the field. I didn't see it coming and thought it was pretty aggressive since we were already up on them and were getting the ball coming back from halftime. If we'd gotten in to field goal range at the end, those three points at the end of Q2 would have been huge.

Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

Originally Posted by saintmatthew

What about the coaching did you feel led to that loss? I thought the use of timeout's before the end of the first half to get the ball back and take the long field goal was pretty shrewd considering most teams would let it run to get them off the field. I didn't see it coming and thought it was pretty aggressive since we were already up on them and were getting the ball coming back from halftime. If we'd gotten in to field goal range at the end, those three points at the end of Q2 would have been huge.

I think a lot of folks point to the coaching staff for the Eagles loss because we had them on the ropes for pretty much the entire first half and they let them back into the game in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I think a lot of folks point to the coaching staff for the Eagles loss because we had them on the ropes for pretty much the entire first half and they let them back into the game in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

The basis for my point. I felt that game was a win and then for some reason the calls shifted the momentum.

Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

I attribute the success of the Raven's current record to the collective efforts of the organization, from top to bottom - there is NO better organization in all of the NFL than the Ravens, imho!!! Think of it, this team is headed to the playoffs for the FIFTH year in a row...pretty impressive. We as a fanbase are pretty damn lucky!

"Grab those pusillanimous sons-a-bitches by the nose and kick 'em in the balls.." General George S. Patton

Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

Great Thread. Some key stats have already been mentioned. Red Zone efficiency from both sides of the ball, points allowed and points scored, much better turnover margin, Flacco as a constant. One thing I would add is special teams. Much improved this year. The decison to go with an unproven rookie (Tucker) took balls and the addition of Jacoby has added an explosiveness in our return game, something we've not seen since Jermaine Lewis.

Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

At home: the offensive line playing well enough to give the receivers and backs a decent chance to properly execute the otherwise inflexible yet predictable gameplan/playcalling.

On the road: tenacity, perseverance, dogged determination and sheer force of will mixed with just enough luck to overcome the shortcomings and failings of the aforementioned inflexible yet predictable gameplan/playcalling.

Re: what do you attribute the ravens success to?

Flacco has been solid this year, but let's not forget people all across the board making plays when they were needed. Torrey Smith having the game of his life after his brother passes away. Anquan Boldin fighting for every catch. Say what you want about Carey Wiliams but he has 4 interceptions this year. Ellerbe stepping up in that LB role and having 11 tackles against the Steelers.

Stats mean jack. Houston fans right now I'm sure aren't tearing their team apart because they got taken to overtime by Jacksonville. I'm sure they aren't saying "OMG we should have lost and we'll be 9-7 the rest of the way." because they haven't blown every team out or lost to the Packers. They are relishing in their 9-1 record.

Houston fans right now I'm sure aren't tearing their team apart because they got taken to overtime by Jacksonville. I'm sure they aren't saying "OMG we should have lost and we'll be 9-7 the rest of the way." because they haven't blown every team out or lost to the Packers. They are relishing in their 9-1 record.

Judging by sports talk radio in Houston, you'd be wrong with that assumption.

A very vocal collection of fans, quite possible the majority, want Kubiac gone and are vexed that now the team has a good record, they will have to endure him for more years.

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